A mortgage in which the interest rate remains the same for the life of the loan. Payments are amortized for 30 years. In other words, payment is calculated in such a way that the borrower makes equal monthly payments and pays off the home loan in 30 years.With rising interest rates looming in the horizon, many home buyers are now seeking the payment stability the 30 Years Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM) offer. The 30-Year Fixed has again become a popularly demanded loan.
While most borrowers feel that a thirty year fixed mortgage is the best option, it is not always the case. The average homeowner lives in their home for 5-7 years and may be better off with a mortgage that is fixed for 5 to 7 years and adjustable afterward. This gives the stability of a fixed rate mortgage with the lower rates that are available with an ARM.
30 year fixed rate mortgage has historically been the most popular loan product. However since most people move or refinance well before 30 years it may make sense to consider a loan with a lower payment. You are paying to have the rate fixed for 30 years and most people do not need the protection for that long.
In the investment world, the longer the capital is committed for, the higher the return. This is true with corporate bonds, T-bills, bank certificates of deposit, etc. This is also true with mortgage loans. Although the 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage has payments lower than that of the 15 Year Fixed, the 30 Years Fixed interest rates are often one half percent higher than that of 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages.
Refinancing into a 30 year fixed mortgage does not always mean higher payments. 30 year fixed rate mortgages are available with interest only and cash flow (deferred interest) options which provide borrowers with the flexibility to pay more or less as needed.
There are rare occasions that the 30 year fixed rate mortgage will have a better rate than a 5 or 7 year ARM.
The 30 year fixed rate mortgage is probably still the most popular mortgage option. When deciding between mortgage programs, you need to consider different variables such as the length of time you will be in the home. Sometimes you may be better off with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), if you only see yourself being in the home for a few years.
A 30 year mortgage is the most common because many people can not afford to go to a lower term. Also, a 30 year mortgage comes highly recommended for the tax benefits it provides along with a low monthly payment. Remember, it is always better to have the cheaper monthly payment that you can afford that gives you a little flexibility each month, and then you can always pay extra when it is convenient so you can pay your loan off quicker.
While the most popular mortgage, before going with a 30 year fixed, consider how long you plan to be in the home. If not more than 5 years or so, take a look at what rates you can get on a 5/1 ARM and compare the two.
A hybrid of sorts to the standard thirty year fixed, is the thirty year fixed, with an Interest Only payment option. For the first ten years of this loan, the borrower has the option to make an interest only option, which offers a lower monthly payment. The interest rate on this loan does not change for the entire thirty years term.
If you plan on staying in your home for the rest of your life, a 30 year mortgage may be your best option. While the monthly payment may not be as low as with an ARM, you have the security of knowing you will never have to refinance and worry about being stuck with a higher monthly payment down the road.
You can always control your 30 year mortgage with a LOC and thereby reduce your mortgage term substantially. A 30 year mortgage with a loan fixed rate is one of the most flexible mortgage plans available today.
